The risk takers also indicated that they participated in political protests and demonstrations, and attributed their risk taking behaviour to frustration with the economy, being unemployed, and wallowing in poverty, while politicians were living in eyewatering luxury. Enough is enough. That is why l participated; I participate because I think my voice should be heard; Demonstrations are another way of expressing our grievances in the public eye; I believe if you don’t agree with something you must do something; I participated in July 6 stay-away because l wanted change; I participated in #thisflag because I believe it’s a way for people to express their grievance…It shows people’s feelings and that the masses are united. Everyone was scared even the Ministers and the Presidents felt the impact; I have never (participated) but if I get the chance I will. I am part of a group called New Age Movement; I participated in WOZA demonstration; we took a stand and we did it well. I’m into journalism and I need to stay away and I need to share the news; I participated in one demonstration to represent a certain organisation; I am a journalist. It is my duty to share and report information; Only participated in one demonstration because I had to represent my organisation Other risk takers indicated they participated in demonstrations and protests to fulfil their professional duties/out of compulsion. 4. Conclusions on youth FGDs The youth largely agreed that they were risk averse. They had wide ranging experiences and knowledge which shaped the reasons they gave for their risk aversion. The reasons coalesced around experiences with political violence and a sense of acceptance that youth or collective citizen action could not lead to improved governance. As such, the youth expressed concern over the inalienability of ZANU-PF and the government and cited this as a major consideration they had in deciding whether or not to engage in any political processes. They highlighted this ambiguity between ZANU-PF and the State as a tactic that was being deployed to ensure that expression of views on governance issues became synonymous with speaking out against ZANU-PF as a party and this caused them to be averse to claiming their rights as citizens. Others voiced concern over the sincerity of the prominent figures in the leading citizen activist movements. While a few individuals indicated that they were personally not risk averse, the majority of respondents reported that they were averse to taking risks because of the culture of fear which they said permeated through all structures and facets of the Zimbabwean society including the civil service, army and police. 12